Green Anole Lizard Hunting a Fly

The Green Anole lizard, a member of the Iguana sub-order, is a tenacious insect predator. This diurnal, arboreal species can often be seen fanning its dewlap (throat-fan) to ward off competitors or attract mates. They are highly efficient insect killers, but the baby green anole hunting a fly is also adorable.

If you want to learn more about this extraordinary lizard, check out these links:
https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anocar.htm
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anolis_carolinensis/
http://www.californiaherps.com/noncal/misc/misclizards/pages/a.c.carolinensis.html
https://youtu.be/blXmYtPXrQ4
https://youtu.be/pyixWxO9QZc

Additional Species Information:

Geographic Range
Anolis carolinensis (green anoles) is native to neotropical and nearctic regions. Anolis carolinensis occurs throughout much of the southeastern United States, extending north through parts of North Carolina, west to Texas, and south through Florida. While Florida was once the central portion of its United States distribution, today most Florida populations have been replaced by introduced anole species, such as Anolis sagrei.

In other parts of its geographic range, A. carolinensis is considered an introduced species. It has become abundant in Hawaii since it was discovered in 1950. It also has been introduced and has flourished in the Ogasawara Islands of Japan, and in Cuba, the Bahamas, and Guam. In Guam, however, densities have been impacted drastically by predators, such as introduced brown tree snakes

Habitat
Anolis carolinensis is a primarily arboreal lizard. Within natural habitats, A. carolinensis is found most often on shaded tree branches. Its positioning within a tree is known as its perch height and is dependent on the proximity of both predators and prey. Limited research has been done on their preferred types or species of trees. Anolis carolinensis appears mostly to inhabit trees and shrubs within their territory and where prey is readily available. They also are frequently observed in tall grasses.

Anolis carolinensis also is one of the most common lizards in urban and suburban areas. It is frequently found near dwellings, particularly on fence posts and the sides of buildings.

Physical Description
Anolis carolinensis varies in length from 4 to 8 cm. Females typically are smaller in all body size measures, at birth ranging from about 23 to 25 mm long. Both males and females have long tails that account for more than half of their total body lengths. Adult anoles weigh between 2 and 6 g.

Scale colors in green anoles vary. In most cases, these lizards range from shades of brown to green or gray. At times their coloring represents combinations of these colors. Color variation results from layers of pigmented cells called chromatophores. Three types of pigment cells are present: xanthophores, cyanophores, and melanophores, each responsible for different color variations. Green anoles are capable of changing scale color in response to their external environment. Many factors affect color change and variation; most often it is dependent upon temperature and excitation, such as increased activity or competition. Darker brown and black colors, produced by melanophores, typically signal cold or stressed conditions.

Physical differences also are common between males and females. Females often have a line that runs along their dorsal surface, from their neck down to their back, ending before their tail begins. Most males have dewlaps that extend from the ventral side (underneath) of their neck. Dewlaps are rarely seen in females. The dewlap is commonly pinkish in color and thought to be used by males to increase visibility as they court females. Displaying the dewlap may also represent a competitive status between males; in these cases, dewlap displays are usually related to territory boundary disputes. Subspecies Anolis carolinensis seminolus, abundant in southwest Florida, is physically very similar to A. carolinensis carolinensis, but its dewlap is often white or gray.

Other Physical Features - heterothermic
Sexual Dimorphism - male larger, sexes colored or patterned differently, ornamentation

Notes: The anole's ability to change color has given it the nickname chameleon; however, this species' color changing abilities are not nearly as sophisticated as the true chameleons which inhabit the old world. Although the green anole is the only anole species native to the U.S., several other species have been introduced in Florida and are expanding their ranges northward. It is uncertain how the green anole will fare when forced to compete with these similar species.

Taken From:
https://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anocar.htm
&
https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anolis_carolinensis/

Видео Green Anole Lizard Hunting a Fly канала 21st Century Nature